SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR MIKE ROUNDS TO SERVE AS GUBERNATORIAL LEADER OF HUCKABEE FOR PRESIDENT EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE
SIOUX CITY, IA – Campaigning in Iowa today, Mike Huckabee announced that Governor Mike Rounds (R-SD) will serve as Chairman of the National Steering Committee of his presidential exploratory campaign.
“I’m truly proud to have the strong support and backing of Mike Rounds – a distinguished governor and true leader – who also shares my governing philosophy and political ideas,” said Huckabee, who served as Arkansas governor from 1996-2007, during a media availability in Sioux City .
Huckabee said Rounds, whose state shares a border with Iowa , will work with 2006 lieutenant governor nominee Bob Vander Plaats of Sioux City and former Iowa House Speaker Pro Tem Danny Carroll of Grinnell to help deliver Iowa and the early primary states.
Huckabee previously named Vander Plaats and Carroll to serve as the Iowa chairman and co-chairman, respectively, of his presidential exploratory committee.
“I believe we need a strong leader to move America forward – a leader with a proven record of achievement and a clear and optimistic vision for our future. That leader is Mike Huckabee,” wrote Rounds in a letter being sent to the nation’s Republican Governors.
Lauding the strength of Huckabee’s message and plan to restore America ’s greatness,” Rounds cited Huckabee’s ability to get things done during his tenure as chairman of the 50-state National Governors’ Association as one reason why the GOP Governors should back the former Arkansas governor.
“Many of us deeply respect Mike’s work as NGA Chairman. We saw him put partisan politics aside to work closely with our fellow Governors, Members of Congress, and the Bush Administration to get results on a variety of issues, including Medicaid and welfare reform, transportation and education,” wrote Rounds.
Rounds also addressed Huckabee’s leadership on issues of importance to governors, including the need to reform health care, energy policy and to bring innovative to education to help America ’s youth compete in the 21st century economy.
“Mike believes that the health care system in this country must be fixed. His yearlong initiative ‘Healthy America’ focused on the urgent need for U.S. policymakers to solve our national health care crisis. On this issue, Mike has truly led by example. I agree with his firm conviction that solving America ’s health care crisis is crucial to America ’s ability to compete on the world stage,” he wrote.
Rounds also cited Huckabee’s credentials as past chairman of the Education Commission of the States, a highly respected education policy organization, and a former chairman of the 37-state Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission. “As ECS Chairman, he championed a movement to encourage the stability of art and music programs in public schools to foster creativity in our youth,” he wrote.
“Mike also believes, as I do, that America must develop a comprehensive energy policy that ends America ’s dependence on foreign oil,” he wrote.
Rounds will work with Huckabee’s Congressional Chairman, U. S. Representative Don Young (R-AK) and Co-Chairman, U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) to fundraise and build political support for his candidacy, said Huckabee.
“Mike and I worked closely together during my tenure as Chairman and Vice Chair of the National Governors’ Association. He’s a talented governor and individual – and I look forward to working with him again as we address America ’s most pressing challenges,” said Huckabee.
Rounds concluded: “Mike Huckabee is truly a ‘leader among leaders’ and a man of character who brings people together to get things done. I’m proud to stand behind him as he seeks higher office -- and I hope you will too.”
